Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in Montana: Bacterial genotypes and clinical profiles

Jill K. Jelacic, Todd Damrow, Gilbert S. Chen, Srdjan Jelacic, Martina Bielaszewska, Marcia Ciol, Humberto M. Carvalho, Angela R. Melton-Celsa, Alison D. O'Brien, Phillip I. Tarr

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

157 Scopus citations

Abstract

The diseases and virulence genes associated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are characterized incompletely. We analyzed, by polymerase chain reaction, 82 STEC isolates collected prospectively in Montana and profiled associated illnesses by patient chart review. All E. coli O157:H7 contained stx2-group genes, as well as eae, iha, espA, and ehxA; 84% contained stx1. Non-O157:H7 STEC less frequently contained stx 1 (P = .046), stx2 (P < .001), iha (P < .001), eae, and espA (P = .039 for both), were isolated less often from patients treated in emergency departments (P = .022), and tended to be associated less frequently with bloody diarrhea (P = .061). There were no significant associations between stx genotype and bloody diarrhea, but isolates containing stx2c or stx2d-activatable were recovered more often from patients who underwent diagnostic or therapeutic procedures (P = .033). Non-O157:H7 STEC are more heterogeneous and cause bloody diarrhea less frequently than do E. coli O157:H7. Bloody diarrhea cannot be attributed simply to the stx genotype of the infecting organism.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)719-729
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume188
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2003

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